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North Cotabato: The Fruit Basket of Mindanao


Cotabato, also known as North Cotabato, is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Kidapawan City and borders Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon to the north, Davao del Norte and Davao City to the east, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat to the Southeast, and Maguindanao to the south and west.

by Jhaypee Guia on July 16, 2012
North Cotabato: The Fruit Basket of Mindanao

New Israel, Makilala, North Cotabato

Overview

Cotabato, also known as North Cotabato, is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Kidapawan City and borders Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon to the north, Davao del Norte and Davao City to the east, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat to the Southeast, and Maguindanao to the south and west.

Come and Visit the province of Cotabato. Explore the various natural attractions that the province has to offer. It is a home of the country’s highest mountain  Mount. Apo. It is very inspiring and captivating from afar, challenging and thrilling when you strive to conquer its peak with an elevation of about 10,311 feet above sea level.

While cruising the way to peak of the mountain, you can enjoy hiking because you can see the hidden wonders of the mountain such as an exotic display of nature, the mysterious Lake Agko, the swift flowing Marbel River and the crystal clear Lake Venado. You can enjoy eating the mouth-watering fruits that can be found on the mountain like Rambutan, Lanzones, Marang, Mangoosteen and of course, the Durian. Beautiful flowers like roses, Anthurium, and orchids are also featured in this promised land.

Cotabato is one of the most stunning provinces in Mindanao. The province has all the best potential tourism sites and they are still untapped and unexploited. Ligawasan Marsh, the snaking Pulangi River, caves, numerous waterfalls, and hot springs are waiting to be discovered.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

NATURAL

NEW ISRAEL

Location: Situated on the periphery of Mt. Apo National Park at an elevation of 1,600 feet above sea level.

Description: A barangay in Makilala which is well known for its numerous monkeys. This mountain village is home to a religious sect called the 'Moncadista'. The place is famous for tamed monkeys.

FORT PIKIT

Location: Approximately 1 km from the National Highway and the main back-drop of the Pikit Municipal hall

Description: One of the remnants of an Old Spanish Fort in Mindanao.

FLORTAM HOT SPRING

Location: 5 kilometers from the national highway, Makilala, Cotabato

Description: A major tourist attraction and dubbed as 'Fountain of Youth' because of its healing power, thus, popular among old folks who have arthritis and rheumatism.

SINAPANGAN WATERFALLS

Location : Brgy. Sinapangan, Libungan

Description : A 10-15 meter high falls which is part of the Mt. Akir-akir watershed areas.

DULAO WATERFALLS

Location : Upper Dado, Alamada

Description: It is approximately 100 meters drop of water and has a natural pool at the end of the drop of the water.

SANG-NGAWAN FALLS

Location : Batasan-Biangan, Makilala

Description : A hot spring blessed with 2 natural pools.

TOWSUVAN FALLS

Location: Foothills of Mt. Apo in the town of Magpet

Description: Crystal-clear water that offer a cool respite to a trek through lush forests, with more or less 20-30 meters drop of water with a natural pool. Its temperature reached up to 6 degrees celcius at night.

KIRONGDONG FALLS & RAINFOREST

Location: Kinarum, Magpe

Description: More or less 70-80 mtrs drop of water surrounded by mountain ranges and cliffs.

MAB-BU FALLS & RAINFOREST

Location: Manobo, Magpet

Description: More or less 400 ft high waterfalls and blessed with bed of flowers and century Cinnamon and Almaciga trees in the surroundings.

NANILUNGAN FALLS

Location: Gambudes, Arakan

Description: A 50 mtrs in height and 90 degrees drop. Spotted forest and beautiful formations rocks could also be found in the vicinity.

EPOL RIVER

Location: Gambudes, Arakan

Description: 3-km cascading river that offers an exciting trek through a series of riverpools and 6 waterfalls.

MATIGOL FALLS AND CAVE

Location: Datu Ladayon, Arakan

Description: A 100-meter in height of cascading waterfalls and a cave could also be found beside the falls.

LAKE LUNINGNING

Location: Ganatan, Arakan

Description: An estimated area of 4 has. with 30 meters depth of clear water, hence it has an underground spring that provides the lake and sustain even during good season.

LILIONGAN CAVE

Location: Liliongan, Carmen

Description: A natural cave with beautiful stalactite & stalagmites formations inside underground creek & thick layer of guano could also be found inside.

KITU-BAO CAVE

Location: Bao, Alamada

Description: It has one entrance but 3 exit points, underground water, swallow birds, bats and other unknown insects could be found inside the cave.

NABUNS CAVE

Location: Gambudes, Arakan

Description: A fantastic tunnel-like cave with beautiful century old golden stalagmites & stalactites.

GAEMS CAVE

Location: Gambudes, Arakan

Description: A church-like shaped cave with an area of 900 square meters and 10 meters in height.

FEEL CAVE AND COLD SPRING

Location: Salasang, Arakan

Description: A fantastic tunnel-like cave with a beautiful century old with golden stalagmites & stalactites.

CAVE AND TINANAN RIVER

Location: Sto. Niño, Arakan

Description: It consists of 6 springs, 2 rivers, 2 caves which are unexplored.

CAVE & PARK VIEW

Location: Kinawayan, Arakan (boundaries of three provinces namely: N. Cotabato, Davao City & Bukidnon).

Description: An ideal place to view the Mt. Sinaka and whole Arakan Valley Complex.

MT. AKIR-AKIR

Location: Sinapangan, Libungan

Description: It has a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding municipalities.

MT. OPAO

Location: Bao, Alamada, specifically between the boundaries of Alamada & Banisilan

Description: It is blessed with natural grown trees and source of cold spring water.

MAN-MADE

LE REVE RESORT

Location: National Highway, Makilala, Cotabato.

Description: An inland resort equipped with cottages, a restaurant, three (3) swimming pools with free flowing spring water from the foot of Mt. Apo.

MERIAM VILLE

Location: Poblacion 5, Midsayap

Description: Standard sized swimming pool with a natural clear water source.

DOTON SWIMMING POOL RESORT

Location: Poblacion 5, Midsayap

Description: 2 units of swimming pool, and surrounded by beautiful flowers and several fruit trees.

SAPANG BATO RESORT

Location: Grebona, Libungan

Description: Natural flowing circle shaped pool and has a top view of cascading mountains.

ECO-RESORT CENTER

Location: Dimapacu, Libungan

Description: A  cool place perfect for relaxing and swimming on its crystal clear water.

NIC'S RIVERVIEW RESORT

Location: Poblacion, Kidapawan City

Description: It has two unit of swimming pool w/ an area of more or les 2 has. Planted with fruit trees such as magosteen, rambutan, coconut, etc.

SKYLINE HERITAGE

Location: Green Hills, President Roxas

Description: It is blessed with 3 units of a swimming pool which is surrounded by mountain ridges.

GRACE TROPICAL RESORT

Location: Pangao-an, Magpet

Description: A 3-hectare. Orchard.

SANG-NGAWAN HOTSPRING RESORT

Location: Batasan Biangan, Makilala

Description: A hot spring which is blessed with 2 natural pools.

NEW ISRAEL ECO-TOURISM PARK & MINI ZOO

Location: New Israel, Makilala

Description: It is surrounded by mountain ridges and blessed with natural grown trees and wild animals.

MANOBO TRIBAL VILLAGE

Location: Manobo, Magpet

Description: It is one of the entry point to Mt. Apo via Lake Venado.

DALLAG TRIBAL VILLAGE

Location: Manobo, Magpet

Description: It has an area of 400 has. and nestled at about 4,00 above sea level and it is inhabited with indigenous Manobo tribes.

BIRDS SANCTUARY

Location: Tuael, Pres Roxas

Description: Situated at the single hill and blessed with more than a thousands species of birds.

FOREST WILDLIFE PARK, PHIL. EAGLE, CENTURY AGE TREE         

Location: Salasang, Arakan

Description: An estimated 500 has of forest nestled with old trees and wild animals such as Philippine Eagle, Kalaw.

 Accommodations

Here is the list of Hotels, Restaurants, Conventions, and Resort Facilities that can be found in Kidapawan City - capital city of North Cotabato.

  • AJ -Hi-Time Hotel - Plaridel St. Kidapawan City
  • Silver Spoon Lodge - Old PC Barracks, Sudapin, Kidapawan City
  • Grand Ficus Resort and Restaurant - Ninoy Aquino Ave, Lanao, Kidapawan City
  • JBL Lodge - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • AJD Garden Pads and Pension House - Quimco St., Kidapawan City
  • Pepper Bird Restaurant and Convention Center - Singao, Kidapawan City
  • Lady M Restaurant and Coffee Shop - Bryant St., Kidapawan City
  • Spottswood Methodist Training Center - Singao, Kidapawan City
  • Dawn's Cafe and Restaurant - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • FAJZ Cafe and Lodging House - Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City
  • Jardin Tropicana Restaurant -- Ninoy Aquino Ave., Lanao, Kidapawan City
  • Boyak's Chicken House and Express Cooking  - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Pep's Country Bar and Restaurant - Balindog, Kidapawan City
  • Mang Oming Lodge - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Jollibee Kidapawan - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Lake Agco Swimming Resort (Health Spa) - Lake Agco, Ilomavis, Kidapawan City
  • Martinez Swimming Resort - Brgy. Mua-an, Kidapawan City
  • Uncle Arts Cold Cuts - Quezon Blvd. Kidapawan City
  • BOB's Restaurant and Bakery - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Sugni Superstore - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Kidapawan City Recreation Center - Quezon Blvd.,Kidapawan City
  • Apo Summit Hostel - Boragay, Kidapawan City
  • Central Warehouse Club INC. - Singao, Kidapawan City
  • Survive Marketing and Fastfood - Quezon Blvd., Kidapawan City
  • Foodcraft Fastfood - Dayao St., Kidapawan City

Accessibility

 By Air:           Air Philippines         - Daily flights from Manila to Davao City.

                       Cebu Facific             - Daily flights from Manila to Cotabato City and DavaoCity Airport.

                       PAL                          - Daily flights from Manila to Cotabato City.

 

 By Sea:         SuperFerry             - Leaves Manila every Friday evening and arrives at Polloc Port  at

                                                        Monday morning.

                      Sulpicio Lines          -  Leaves Manila every Saturday afternoon and arrives at

                                                         Pooloc port at Tuesday morning.

 

By Land:        From Cotabato City to Cotabato Province

Bus Companies:        Weena Express & People’s Transport

Bus Station:             Don Rufino Alonzo St., Cotabato City                     

Schedule:                 First Trip: 4:00 am, 30 minutes interval with airconditioned bus & 5 min.

                                 Interval for deluxe bus.

Travel Time: 2.5 to 3 hrs.        

Bus Companies:      Weena Express , People’s Transport & Tacurong Express (Davao-Makilala Going to Tacurong City)

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